Where in the Bible does it say that pre marital sex is forbidden. What is the position of the Catholic Church and the basis for it.

Answer by Judie Brown on 5/29/2013:

Dear Christine

The word is fornication (sex outside of marriage) and here is what the Catechism states:

2353 Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is
gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered
to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children. Moreover, it is a grave
scandal when there is corruption of the young.

Fornication is an offense against chastity. The entire section of the Catechism that deals with
this subject, including Biblical references, is on line at:
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#2353